The Bhadrak Collector is yet to reply to the final reminder of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) over starvation death of Sreedhar, son of Rangahar Mishra of Jagannathprasad village under Balipokhari Gram Panchayat in Bhandaripokhari block in the district on February 21, 2013.
The proceedings of the Commission is in continuation of the proceedings on a petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer and rights activist Radhakanta Tripathy seeking immediate intervention over the issue.
It was alleged that though the plight of Sridhar and his family was reported in an Odia newspaper six month ago no action was taken by the concerned Government officials. It was further alleged that the family has a BPl card and they have no house to live in. Due to acute poverty, the family could not get two times meal. Rangadhar, father of Sridhar has become partially blind and Saraswati, mother of the deceased has also been suffering from other diseases requiring free medical treatment along with medicines and a house to live in.
In response to the notice issued by the Commission, the Collector had submitted a report with the Commission on May 10, 2013 in which he had mentioned that Shridhar Mishra (35) an unmarried youth was suffering from prolonged diabetes and other diseases since long and had died on February 21, 2013.
The Collector maintained that the deceased’s father owned 0.36 decimal of agricultural land and 0.20 decimal of homestead land while he was provided with an Indira Awas since the year 2007-08 which is now under construction. Besides, he has been provided with 35 kg rice at Rs1 per month regularly and getting old age pension of Rs300 per month. The deceased was residing and taking food with his parents. Thus, the death of Sridhar Mishra did not take place due to starvation.
In his rejoinder, the complainant has alleged that no monetary relief was provided to the family members of the deceased to meet the expenses of funeral and post death rituals. The construction of the house provided to the Rangadhar under IAY has not been completed since 2007-08. The old parents of the deceased are staying at live Stock Aid Centre. Thus, there has been a continuous violation of human rights of the family of the deceased, Radhakanta alleged.
He urged Commission to direct the State Government to provide a shelter/house to the parents of the deceased along with adequate monetary compensation.
Considering the arguments of the petitioner the Commission sought a final report from the Collector within six weeks while directing the authorities to ensure that all possible monetary relief/help is provided to the parents of the deceased under various Welfare Schemes of the State/Central Government, besides early completions of the under construction house.